Product description

By offering both a comprehensive update and new material reflecting the continuing development of the subject, this continues to be the leading textbook on international criminal law. Its experienced author team draws on its combined expertise as teachers, scholars and practitioners to offer an authoritative survey of the field. The third edition contains new material on the theory of international criminal law, the practice of international criminal tribunals, the developing case law on principles of liability and procedures and new practice on immunities. It offers valuable supporting online materials such as case studies, worked examples and study guides. Retaining its comprehensive coverage, clarity and critical analysis, it remains essential reading for all in the field.

Author information

Robert Cryer is Professor of International and Criminal Law at the University of Birmingham. Hakan Friman is Deputy Director-General at the Swedish Ministry of Justice and a former Associate Judge of Appeals in Sweden and Visiting Professor at University College London. Darryl Robinson is Professor of Law at Queen's University, Kingston, Canada. Elizabeth Wilmshurst is Associate Fellow in International Law at Chatham House and a former Visiting Professor at University College London.

Review quote

'This is a comprehensive, yet accessible text. It is widely acclaimed among teachers and researchers of international criminal law, and easily surpasses the competition ... This new edition has the authors hallmark quality and rigour.' Jonathan Doak, Durham University 'The authors make their work accessible, erudite, and admirably concise.' Suzannah Linton, Bangor University 'International criminal law seems to be both increasingly established and precarious, celebrated and critiqued. For a discipline in expansion, contention and crisis, it is a major achievement to have produced such a balanced and solid guide. Cryer, Friman, Robinson and Wilmshurst present an excellent combination of width and depth, of detail and clarity, and of analysis and critique. These qualities make this textbook ideal for both undergraduate and postgraduate students, but also a very satisfying port of call for academics seeking a detailed and thoughtful introduction to international criminal law and procedure.' Ioannis Kalpouzos, City University London 'Through detailed, systematic and insightful analysis, the book provides readers with information, knowledge, and explanation of international criminal law and practice, making it the best book for purposes of instruction.' Nicholas Tsagourias, University of Sheffield 'The third edition offers a fully comprehensive, balanced and enriching coverage of ICL, an area that has by now become well-established in international law. The book's structure superbly captures the contemporary spirit of ICL as it analyses domestic prosecutions with priority. The book moves beyond narrow or idealistic conceptions of ICL. The inclusion of practical matters such as extradition, mutual legal assistance and other forms of state cooperation reflects a reality-based and pragmatic approach that may be lacking in other, more aspirational treatises of the field. As ICL has matured, its philosophical and theoretical underpinnings have become better articulated and the book's analyses thereof is a great asset. The analysis of all the core ICL themes is accessible and yet thorough and thought-provoking. This book is beyond competition. It is outstanding and without any doubt one of the best in the field.' Larissa van den Herik, Leiden University 'This is a very comprehensive textbook on international criminal law, offering a panoramic and multifaceted coverage of the recent evolution, but also historical and systemic roots and dimensions of international criminal justice. It keeps a great balance between international and criminal law ... written in an engaging manner that makes it an invaluable resource for everyone wishing to develop a broad understanding and knowledge of international criminal law.' Vassilis P. Tzevelekos, University of Hull 'International criminal law is about rules, practices and context. All three have evolved dramatically in the past four years. The ICC has produced a new definition of Aggression, issued its first judgments and international justice has now become a permanent feature of any conversation on peace and security, as in Ukraine or Syria. This new edition of [An] Introduction to International Criminal Law and Procedure, which takes into account these evolving legal and political landscapes is therefore more than welcome. It continues to strike the perfect balance between introducing key concepts and questioning the role and place of ICL in today's world, both as a philosophical project and as a reality and remains a necessary introductory tool for students and practitioners alike.' Dov Jacobs, Leiden University

Table of contents

Part I. Introduction: 1. Introduction: what is international criminal law?; 2. The aims, objectives and justification of international criminal law; Part II. Prosecutions in National Courts: 3. Jurisdiction; 4. National prosecutions of international crimes; 5. State cooperation with respect to national proceedings; Part III. International Prosecutions: 6. The history of international criminal prosecutions: Nuremberg and Tokyo; 7. The ad hoc international criminal tribunals; 8. The International Criminal Court; 9. Other courts with international elements; Part IV. Substantive Law of International Crimes: 10. Genocide; 11. Crimes against humanity; 12. War crimes; 13. Aggression; 14. Transitional crimes, terrorism and torture; 15. General principles of liability; 16. Defences/grounds for excluding criminal responsibility; Part V. Principles and Procedures of International Prosecutions: 17. Procedures of international criminal investigations and prosecutions; 18. Victims in the international criminal process; 19. Sentencing and penalties; Part VI. Relationship between National and International Systems: 20. State cooperation with the International Courts and Tribunals; 21. Immunities; 22. Alternative and complements to criminal prosecution; 23. The future of international criminal law.